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Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan March 16, 2012

VOLUME 33, NO. 3

A NEWS OPINION SPORTS

www.thisweeklive.com

Opinion/4A

Public Notices/5A & 6A

Announcements/6A

Sports/7A

Teachers, district approve contract

Bringing clarity to Alimagnet Lake

Salary raise is 1 percent over two years

Cities, homeowners have made big progress in lake cleanup

by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

A new contract in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 will give teachers a 1 percent raise in salary schedule over the next two years. That’s half the raise teachers got in the previous two years under a contract that expired last June 30. That two-year pact raised the salary schedule by 1 percent a year. Teachers ratified the new contract by a wide margin on March 8. The School Board unanimously approved it on March 13. District and Burnsville Education Association negotiators reached a tentative deal on Feb. 21, following nine bargaining sessions that began Nov. 30. The deal may be slightly better than the metro average for settled teacher contracts in the current two-year cycle, BEA President Libby Duethman said. “We do have neighbors in the metro that have a hard freeze,” she said in an interview. “We have See Contract, 14A

Classifieds/9A

by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Water clarity in Alimagnet Lake has doubled in recent years, thanks to a series of cleanup efforts. The lake is situated in Burnsville and Apple Valley.

As the ice retreats on Alimagnet Lake, homeowner Dave Scheerer anticipates another year’s pleasures of lakeshore living. “I have a dock,” said the Burnsville resident, one of 60 Alimagnet Lake homeowners. “I have a little runabout boat that we pull tubers and water skiers around in. ... There’s nothing better than living on the lake, and I don’t have to drive four hours to get to mine. I just have to come home.” Alimagnet has been trans-

formed in recent years, thanks to a series of projects undertaken by the cities of Burnsville and Apple Valley and the Alimagnet Lake Association. Water clarity has doubled. Post-rainstorm algae blooms are under control, Scheerer said, and massive winter fishkills are a thing of the past. Alimagnet reached a milestone late last year, the first time it met Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards to be removed from the state’s impaired-waters list. Such readings averaged See Lake, 8A

Bringing Irish insight on St. Patrick’s Day Northern Irish legislator shares his culture during visit to Twin Cities by Jessica Harper Thisweek Newspapers

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day entails wearing green and drinking Irish beer, but for one local group, the national holiday is much more. Eagan resident Barb Dunnegan and other members of the Minnesota Friends of St. Patrick hoped to teach others this week about Ireland’s real culture and history by hosting Basil McCrea, a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which is a legislative body in that part of the UK. “Our goal as the Friends of St. Patrick is to always make a Photo by Jessica Harper difference,” Dunnegan said. “I Northern Ireland Assembly Member Basil McCrea met with Friends of St. Patrick hope Basil’s visit will do just members Barb Dunnegan and Brandt Haglund in Eagan during his visit to the Twin that.” Cities. The organization hosted the foreign legislator to teach the community about For the past several years, Irish culture and heritage. McCrea has worked closely

Yellow ribbons all around Dakota to become Yellow Ribbon County by Laura Adelmann Thisweek Newspapers

Dakota County is poised to build the biggest local network of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon cities in the state. Connecting Yellow Ribbon cities to form a comprehensive support network is Dakota County’s goal as it is proclaimed a Yellow Ribbon County by Gov. Mark Dayton at a 3 p.m. recognition ceremony March 30 at Trinity Evangelical Church, 10658 210th St. W. in Lakeville. The cities of Apple Valley and Burnsville will be proclaimed Yellow Ribbon cities during the event and West St. Paul is expected to attain its Yellow Ribbon status this year, said Dakota County Veterans Services Director Lisa Thomas. Since Farmington became Minnesota’s first Yellow Ribbon City in 2008 by committing to provide services to soldiers and military famiGeneral 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

lies, Dakota County has led the state in showing soldiers appreciation for the sacrifice they have made. Skilled Yellow Ribbon volunteers in Lakeville recently patched a ceiling leak for a soldier getting ready to be deployed. Numbers of Yellow Ribbon volunteers and businesses will combine efforts this week to assist the wife of a soldier serving overseas with a move from Bloomington to Farmington. One day after her worried call to Annette Kuyper, Minnesota’s director of military outreach, moving boxes were delivered to her, an army of volunteers organized to help her pack and clean, two moving trucks were reserved, and Subway Farmington and Cub Foods in Bloomington agreed provide food for volunteers. That kind of action demands collaboration, the heart of Dakota County’s function as a Yellow Ribbon County. “Any veteran in Dakota County that needs any type See Yellow Ribbon, 8A

with the international organization, which provides young adults with cultural experiences in Northern Ireland to build lasting relationships with its citizens, while learning about the culture and reconciliation efforts. McCrea said he enjoys hosting American students in his homeland and in many instances, teaching them about their own heritage. “There are many lessons they can learn from us, like working together,” McCrea said. Northern Ireland was entrenched for centuries in an entho-political conflict that spilled over from time to time. It came to a head from the 1960s to the late 1990s. Since the Belfast Agreement in 1998, Northern Ireland has been a relatively peaceful place, McCrea said. “There’s really no conflict now,” he said “There are many American cities that have more murders than Northern Ire-

land.” But, he added, there’s always work to be done. “Just because it’s quiet, doesn’t mean everything is fixed,” he said. Friends of St. Patrick also supports the St. Patrick Centre, in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where it is believed St. Patrick built his first church in the mid-400s. During his visit to the Twin Cities, McCrea, a member of the Ulster Unionist Party, visited the State Capitol on Wednesday to meet with Sens. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, David Senjum, R-Rochester, John Marty, DFL-Roseville, all of whom come from Irish lineage. That evening, McCrea led a discussion in Minneapolis on culture, education and politics in Northern Ireland. He also got a taste of Eagan while staying with Dunnegan and her family. His first visit to Minnesota has been an enjoyable and surSee McCrea, 14A

Gerlach to step aside for new senator Apple Valley resident has served the area for 14 years by Tad Johnson Thisweek Newspapers

In recent years, it was easy to spot Chris Gerlach as a participant in local parades. Along with being accompanied by dozens of volunteers waiving signs bearing his name, one could pick him out because of his trademark American-flag T-shirt. While the T-shirt has logged lots of walking miles and has faded a bit over time, that garment and its frequent wearer can finally take a rest. Gerlach, the Apple Valley and Rosemount-area state senator for the past eight years and state representative for six years before that, has seen his children grow up fast over those years and said on Monday his interest in spending more time with them is one of the reasons he is retiring from elective office when his term expires at the end of this year. Gerlach and his wife, Shelli, have two children, ages 10 and 8. “While serving in the Legislature is truly an honor and privilege, the family and financial sacrifices are great,” he said in a press release. “Now is the time to reassess my personal priori-

ties.” “He’s long struggled to maintain a life-work balance, between politics, family and his business,” said Kevin Ecker, Gerlach’s campaign Chris manager and the ReGerlach publican Party senate district’s secretary. “He takes his public commitments very seriously, so it was often his family or business that suffered as a result. I think he finally just realized he couldn’t be all things to all people. As a friend, I’m happy with his decision and glad to see he made it.” Gerlach, who did not return a phone call for comment on this story, said the other reason he retired was to focus on his direct mail business, Eagan-based Capitol Direct, which has been the focus of recent scrutiny. Criticism from within in his own party and from the nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen’s lobby Common Cause Minnesota regarding Capitol Direct’s mailing of fliers in support of the so-called Right to Work proposed constitutional amendment did not factor into his decision to retire, according to Ecker. The conservative political action committee Freedom Club paid for the Right to Work fliers, which were

mailed in neighborhoods that have Republican senators reportedly reluctant about supporting the proposed constitutional amendment. The amendment, carried in the Senate by Sen. Dave Thompson, RLakeville, cleared a Senate committee on Monday amid protests by union supporters. If approved by voters, the measure would make it illegal to force someone to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. Common Cause Minnesota asked Gerlach on Monday to disclose Capitol Direct’s client list. “Legislators and the public deserve to know whose interests Senator Gerlach may be representing,” Mike Dean, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota, said on the organization’s blog release. “This business arrangement between a lobbying group and the Senator creates an appearance of corruption.” Capitol Direct’s website reported that Gerlach bought the company in the mid 2000s and brought with him “his values discipline, and business ethics, which reinforced the strong foundation of this already successful and growing organization.” Gerlach’s retirement announcement comes six days before the Senate District 57 endorsing convention, at which many expected him to be the See Gerlach, 14A

March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

South Burnsville noise walls may be built in 2015 Both sides of freeway would get relief by John Gessner Thisweek Newspapers

Noise walls on both sides of Interstate 35W in southernmost Burnsville could be built in 2015. A proposed 1,150-foot wall on the west side would reduce traffic noise at the Sunny Acres mobile home park. A 1,700-foot wall on the east side would shield single-family homes, duplexes and fourplexes next to the frontage road. First, the Minnesota Department of Transportation

will survey affected property owners and residents. Neighborhoods nearly always answer “yes” by a large majority to MnDOT’s rare proposals to build new noise walls, said Peter Wasko, the agency’s metro noise abatement program manager. At a March 13 work session, the City Council gave Wasko the green light to survey residents. The noise abatement program requires cities to pay 10 percent of the cost of new walls. Burnsville’s share would be $120,000. The proposal follows

the 2010 completion of noise walls on both sides of the freeway from Burnsville Parkway to McAndrews Road. Construction of those walls was triggered by a mandatory environmental review that preceded expansion of the MnPASS and SmartLanes systems from Burnsville Parkway to Southcross Drive. Noise walls are welcome in a city where residents have been asking for them since the freeway came through in the 1960s, Council Member Dan Gustafson said.

Eagan man faces felony tax charges Thisweek Newspapers

A Burnsville man distraught over a breakup with his girlfriend allegedly threatened her and caused a disturbance the next day at his apartment. Michael Todd Pleier, 36, is charged with making terroristic threats, a felony, and interfering with an emergency call, a gross misdemeanor, in the March 5 and 6 incidents. Police were told the afternoon of March 6 that Pleier was holding his mother hostage at his apartment on the 12500 block of Portland Avenue South. Police spoke with Pleier’s father, who insisted they go inside to “save his wife’s life,” according to the criminal complaint. The man said his son may have taken

An Eagan man is facing felony charges for allegedly failing to pay taxes associated with his Prior Lake business. Douglas Nagle, 52, was charged by the Scott County Attorney’s Office with four counts of willful failure to pay Minnesota sales tax, one count of making a sale after the state Department of Revenue revoked his sales tax permit, and four counts of willful failure to file corporate returns between 2006 and 2010. Nagle, owner of Diggers Sales and Service Inc., owes a total of $608,992 in un- Jessica Harper is at jessica. paid sales taxes, according harper@ecm-inc.com. to the Minnesota Depart-

prescription drugs. The woman then exited the apartment and told police no one was inside. They located Pleier nearby and arrested him. His mother told police she’d been at the apartment when her son came home in a rage. She said he took the phone away when she tried to call 911. She said Pleier had “threatened to cut his girlfriend up into little pieces,” the complaint said. Police then spoke to the girlfriend, who said she’d told Pleier on March 5 that she didn’t want to see him anymore. He threatened to “cut (her) up with a knife,” the complaint said. She eventually got Pleier to leave. — John Gessner

Agendas Eagan Advisory Parks Commission

Eagan Advisory Parks Commission in City Council chambers at the Eagan Municipal Center. Following is the agenda for the 7 p.m. Monday, Workshop: Caponi Update and March 19, meeting of the

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Off Leash Dog Area Operational Policies & Procedures, 6 to 6:55 p.m., conference rooms 2A and 2B. Agenda I. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance II. Adopt Agenda III. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 12, 2012 IV. Visitors to be Heard V. Director’s Update VI. Consent Agenda A. Arbor Day Proclamation VII. Development Proposals A. Eagan Car Club

VIII. Old Business A. Off Leash Dog Area Operational Policies & Procedures IX. New Business A. Public Hearing for Submission of DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant B. Public Hearing for Submission of DNR Natural and Scenic Area Grant X. Other Business and Reports A. Recreation Facility Report XI. Communications XII. Round Table XIII. Adjournment

Education

could be financed from our share of the gas tax.” It’s a rare opportunity to get the walls built, Ebeling said. If cities reject such proposals, those locations are stricken from MnDOT’s list. A MnDOT map shows 19 benefitting properties at Sunny Acres, where the park’s owner and the homedwellers, who rent their lots, will be polled. There are 10 benefitting properties, some of them duplexes and fourplexes, on the east side of the freeway, according to Wasko. John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

by Laura Adelmann Thisweek Newspapers

Gaylord. Those commissioner districts currently include portions of Apple Valley, Eagan, Lakeville, Burnsville, and Inver Grove Heights. Novak said redistricting the county is unlikely to result in any commissioners being left out of their districts or force two into a single district. “They are spread far enough out throughout the county,” Novak said. The County Board is expected on March 27 to pass a resolution for the intent to redistrict, then Novak said he will work with commissioners individually to discuss district boundaries before bringing a proposal to the entire board by mid-April. Dakota County Board candidates have from May 22 until June 5 to file to run in the election. To maintain staggered terms on the board, Workman said races forced by redistricting would likely be for two-year terms and then return to the county’s regular four-year pattern. The 2010 census showed Dakota County’s population grew from 355,904 to 398,552 during 2000-10, an increase of 42,648 people.

The growing population may help force elections in all seven Dakota County commissioner districts in November. Minnesota law requires counties to redraw commissioner districts consisting of precincts that cities will have re-established by March 30, based on the 2010 census. Any county district population change of 5 percent or more will require an election in that district, according to Dakota County Public Services and Revenue Director Tom Novak. “I think everybody’s going to have to run,” said County Commissioner Paul Krause, who has represented Lakeville and portions of Burnsville and Apple Valley in District 6 since 1995. Four commissioner seats are up for re-election this year regardless of the redistricting results. They are now held by Liz Workman, Will Branning, Tom Egan and Joe Harris, who after 32 years as a commissioner, will not seek another term. Commissioners who may be required to run because of redistricting are Krause, Nancy Laura Adelmann is at laura. Schouweiler and Kathleen adelmann@ecm-inc.com.

Mixing school and sports is a challenge for SES students

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by Hunter Paulson-Smith Thisweek Newspapers

Though the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley offers many opportunities, it can present challenges for those interested in team sports. The magnet school offers an interdisciplinary curriculum, student-run clubs and committees, and field studies to places around the globe. But SES does not offer team sports, so students have to travel back to their District 196 “home high school” to participate in the

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sport of their choice. Transportation poses a problem for some students, especially those without their own car or a license. Some SES students also say timing can be an issue. “I’m really crunched for time because I have to drive over and get changed in the car, so I’ve been late a couple times,” said Rachel Gratz, an SES student who traveled back to Eagan High for varsity soccer during her junior year. This year, Gratz didn’t participate in soccer at EHS because her schedule was so full with school and other activities. Other students say that

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by Jessica Harper

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they don’t feel as much a part of the community within their sport because they attend SES. “It’s hard because on game days, everybody dresses up and is very enthusiastic, and at SES, nobody’s really on your team here,” said Sophie Albright, an SES student who plays softball at Eastview. Despite the challenges of transportation and timing, many SES students find it worthwhile to play sports at their home high school. “There weren’t many conflicts for me, and the teachers were very flexible when I missed school for (the) state (tournament),”

said Jenny Rudnicki, a student who played tennis at Eagan High for four years. Jenny and SES students Chris Bechly (Rosemount) and Kate Wright (Apple Valley) were captains of their respective sports at their home high schools this year. These students show that SES and team sports can mix. “Don’t let participation in a sport hold you back from going to SES,” said Jenny. Hunter Paulson-Smith is an intern who attends the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley.

District 196 looks to borrow again Officials say need for loan was created by funding changes

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city has repeatedly asked for a wall for the Carriage Hills neighborhood south of Southcross Drive and east of the freeway. The area doesn’t meet MnDOT’s criteria for a wall and has a tall berm that already mitigates freeway noise, Wasko said. News that Carriage Hills is being bypassed won’t sit well with some residents, Mayor Elizabeth Kautz predicted. Burnsville could cover its share of the cost for the proposed locations by drawing on its annual allocations of state gasoline-tax funds to repay bonds, City Manager Craig Ebeling said. “This would not be reflected in your tax levies,” he told the council. “It

Distraught man charged Growth may force county board race in all districts with making threats

ment of Revenue. The department revoked Nagle’s sales tax permit in October 2011 for allegedly failing to pay sales taxes between June 2008 and October 2011. Despite the state’s actions, Nagle made illegal sales eight days later, according to the Department of Revenue. Nagle’s unpaid corporate taxes total $5,897, including penalty and interest, the complaint said. If convicted, Nagle could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each felony count.

by Jessica Harper

“It’s taken 50 years to get the attention of MnDOT,” he said. The proposed south Burnsville locations are among 285 MnDOT has identified as priority sites for noise walls. Only two or three of those are built each year from an annual budget of about $2 million, Wasko said. Projects that rise to the top are typically in the loudest and most densely built areas on the list, Wasko said. The two qualifying Burnsville sites were grouped together because money can be saved by doing them together, he said. Despite pleas, another Burnsville neighborhood won’t get noise relief. The

Thisweek Newspapers

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The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District will once again look to borrowing to ease financial burdens created by shifts in state aid. In a 5-0 vote on March 12, the School Board approved issuing $35 million in tax anticipation certificates, which are loans that help school districts alleviate cash flow issues and are to be repaid using property tax revenue. “This is the result of three years of actions taken

that resulted in state aid taken away from school districts and property tax shifts,” said Jeff Solomon, finance director for District 196. Recent tax shifts forced the district to use up its $8 million in cash flow, which created cash flow shortages, he said. The district is expected to face a $35 million shortage in 2012 and 2013. In May, the School Board unanimously approved issuing $15 million in aid anticipation certificates, loans that help districts alleviate cash flow issues and repaid using state aid. Solomon predicts the district will spend approximately $100,000 from borrowing by the end of 2013. District officials previously expected a $42 million

shortage but recent talks of quicker state aid repayment have changed the forecast. The district is not alone in its decision to borrow money to make up for cash flow shortfalls. Solomon estimates that approximately 70 percent of school districts nationwide have, at some time, used some sort of cash flow borrowing. Several board members expressed frustration with the state’s decision to delay state aid. “As the governor and Legislature look to balance its budget, it’s a real cost to us,” Board Member Art Coulson said. Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com

THISWEEK March 16, 2012

Burnsville business hosting Pokemon state championship tourney Legion Games is four-time host by Michael Ricci Thisweek Newspapers

Burnsville seems to be home to a niche that most people were never fully aware of. A Burnsville business will host about 150 Pokemon card players this month. Legion Games, 3128 Highway 13 W., will be home of the state championship competition, on March 24, for the fourth consecutive year. Players can earn the chance to advance to the Midwest regional competition in Madison, Wis., April 13 to 15, with the hope of ultimately competing at the national level in August. According to Jeff Pren-

tiss, who manages the event, the tournament is in its 15th year, with the last four being held at Legion. The gaming center is discreetly located in the northwest portion of Burnsville just north of Highway 13. Competitors enter the competitions on their own and advancement is up to them, according to Prentiss. But those who wish to advance after taking first place in the open, statewide competition receive an incentive. “The first place winners get a travel stipend to nationals,” Prentiss said, adding there have also been scholarships in past years. Prentiss said the tourna-

ment usually draws about 100 competitors from bordering states as well as Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska. “We usually have three, four or five states represented,” Prentiss said, adding that top players could advance to international competition. The tournament – which is open to players in the 10-and-under juniors, 1015 seniors and 15-and-over masters levels – typically attracts not only players but family and friends as well. “It’s fairly exciting,” Prentiss said. “There is always a lot of talking.” Although it may be an

Wildcats lose at state tournament

Photo by Michael Ricci

Legion Games at 3128 Highway 13 W. in Burnsville is hosting the Pokemon state championship for the fourth consecutive year. exciting time for the players, most of them, especially the younger ones, don’t talk much about their Pokemon achievements, according to Prentiss. “When you ask if they want to put their name and picture in the paper, they say no because they get kidded about it at school,” he said. This comes as no surprise to Cedan Bourne, manager of Legion Games. The Minneapolis resident and hobby game store manager of five years said those who are really into Pokemon and similar games don’t talk about it much. “I’m sure everybody has

a cousin, sibling, roommate, or somebody they know who plays these games,” he said, adding that this is like a degree of separation from the “average” person. “It is a niche, but it is a really big niche these days.” He said Pokemon is still popular in 2012, but it has not always been since it hit the market. “Pokemon has gone up and down through the years,” Bourne said, adding that the popularity is up again. “I know that I get about 15 to 20 people in here every Friday night who play.” According to Bourne, Legion Games is one of

dozens of hobby game stores in the Twin Cities, and the average person likely doesn’t know about the game concept of Pokemon. “There has always been a game concept,” he said. “I remember my roommate playing it when I was in college. A lot of little kids just collect the cards because they are neat, but there has always been the option to play a game with those cards.” Michael Ricci is BurnsvilleLakeville community editor for Minnesota Sun Publications.

Skateville holds spring food drive in Burnsville Skateville in Burnsville will hold its Spring Food Drive from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, and Wednesday, April 4.

Guests will receive free admission with a donation of a nonperishable food item. Rental prices will be $1 for roller skates and $3

for in-line skates. All donated items will be sent to 360 Communities for distribution.

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Photo by Rick Orndorf

Evan Brown, in the green hat, and Patch McMahon, in the blue, high five the Eagan Wildcat hockey team as it takes the ice during the start of the Eagan versus Moorhead quarterfinal boys’ state hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center on March 8. The Wildcats lost to the Spuds 4-0. Eagan went on to finish the tournament with a 4-1 loss in the consolation final.

District 196 figure skating team presents ice show The 2011-12 District 196 figure skating team will present its annual ice show, “A Tribute to Musical Icons,” at 7 p.m. March 15-17 at Apple Valley High

School Arena. Skaters from all five district high schools and three middle schools make up the 30-member team. Flowers will be available

for purchase. A silent auction also will be held. For more information about the Icettes, visit www. icettes.com.

Sold-out U.S. Navy Band concert to be cablecast live Tickets to the March 19 U.S. Navy band concert at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center are sold out, but city cable subscribers will still have an opportunity to see the performance live at 7 p.m. on Burnsville Community Television (BCTV) cable channel 14.

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A replay schedule for the concert will be available after the event at www.burnsville.tv. For more information

on the concert, contact the Burnsville Performing Arts Center at (952) 895-4680 or visit www.burnsvillepac. com.

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Opinion 4A

March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

ECM Editorial

Time is now to vote on Vikings stadium Many Minnesotans say they treasure the Minnesota Vikings football team, but they don’t want to help pay for a new stadium to keep it. That’s the dilemma for the Legislature, which keeps stalling, hoping it can put this decision off until after the November elections. Meanwhile, the Vikings insist they want a new $975 million stadium and are willing to pay more than $427 million of the cost, as long as someone else pays the remaining $548 million. The central question, however, is not how to pay for it and where to put it. The bottom line is: How important is the Vikings team to Minnesotans’ quality of life? If the consensus of the people is to keep the Vikings because they add so much value to the state’s quality of life, then all the people should help pay for a new stadium that will keep them here.

This burden should not fall on Minneapolis residents alone through the array of taxes they pay now for facilities like Target Field, the Minneapolis Convention Center and Target Center. Nor should it fall on only those who would pay for electronic pull tabs, as proposed in the latest stadium plan. The latest plan calls for a $975 million stadium east of the Metrodome in Minneapolis. It would be financed by $427 million from the Vikings, $150 million from Minneapolis through sales and luxury taxes and $398 million from state-run electronic pull tabs. This plan still has to be approved by a reluctant Legislature and Minneapolis City Council, which fear the backlash from those who question the Vikings deal when compared with the state’s need to close a budget deficit, to pay for $2.1 billion in withheld payments to school districts and to fund human services.

Since this issue has dragged on for 10 years and a plan has been put together for the Legislature, this is the session to vote it up or down. Waiting won’t lead to a better solution. Minnesotans want to believe the Vikings will never leave for a city with a modern stadium. Don’t they recall how the state lost its former NBA franchise, the Minneapolis Lakers, to Los Angeles and the Minnesota North Stars NHL hockey team to Dallas? Have they forgotten how the state fought for and regained new hockey and basketball franchises by having to build Target Center and the Xcel Center? A major policy question is: Should the state continue to fund entertainment venues for its residents with local and state taxes? Why not? There are state and local tax dollars in the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Target Field in Minneapolis, the National

Sports Center in Blaine, the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, the Mall of America in Bloomington and the TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The most recent case of public financing is Target Field in Minneapolis, where there is a 0.15 percent sales tax paying two-thirds of the cost. People are raving about this stadium, even as they help pay for it when they buy something in Hennepin County. A consensus is developing that keeping the Vikings maintains the state’s quality of life. A stadium plan is on the table. Let’s vote. An editorial from the ECM Publishers Editorial Board. Thisweek Newspapers and the Dakota County Tribune are part of ECM Publishers Inc.

Guest Columnist The next step: strengthening family services by Jeff Mortensen Special to Thisweek Newspapers

360 Communities has previously shared the exciting results from the University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement evaluation of our Partners For Success program: 88 percent of students in the evaluation met, exceeded or made progress toward their reading goals. Nearly half of those kids exceeded those goals, several by 200 percent.

In addition to validating strong service results, the CAREI study also provided constructive feedback regarding organizational areas for improvement. Adaptability is an essential part of any organization’s continued growth and viability and 360 Communities is a learning organization. Over the past couple of months, we have opened up new conversations externally with partners and internally with staff and volun-

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now providing direct service to families, another 15 are in the on-boarding process and active volunteers have gained increased support. Our services are now more accessible at a time when they couldn’t be more needed. According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, there was a 126 percent jump in poverty in Dakota County between 2000 and 2010. We are confident our recent changes will help us connect with families in new and better ways, paving the way for a successful future for all of us. 360 Communities is adapting to the changing needs of its staff, its volunteers and its communities. We are grateful to the more than 1,000 volunteers who generously give 360 Communities their time and talent annually to strengthen their communities. Drop by and you’ll notice a fresh influx of energy and excitement around 360 Communities. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Kathryn Archambault at (952) 985-4017. Your community and 360 Communities need you. Jeff Mortensen is interim president and CEO of 360 Communities, a nonprofit devoted to preventing violence in our homes and communities, stabilizing families in crisis, and ensuring that kids succeed in school. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Myhra has earned the votes

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teers. We have found that while there is much to celebrate about 360 Communities, there is also important feedback to act on now to improve and strengthen services that directly support families. Informed by staff and volunteers closest to the work, community partners and the CAREI evaluation, we promptly implemented improvements that both strengthen our direct services and increase our volunteer capacity. We’ve added 40 frontline staff hours to the 360 Communities Burnsville Resource Center. These hours are shared by employees from our Partners For Success, Dakota Healthy Families and 360 Communities Lewis House service areas. The result is experienced full-time staff coverage Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at this critical location that supports many of our other service areas throughout Dakota County. This immediately provides more direct service to families, greater support to volunteers and allows us to be more responsive to community needs through our (952) 985-5300 hotline and in-person intakes. In addition, 360 Communities added a position that is responsible for the recruitment, support and retention of volunteers … a community source of strength! In the past four weeks, this addition has already made an impact: 10 new volunteers are

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To the editor: It was a little disappointing to find out that Pam Myhra will no longer be my state representative following the redistricting process. If there is one thing that

Thisweek incorrectly reported video visitation callers use Skype to reach Dakota County Jail in-

mates. personal computer. Callers use a custom pro- Thisweek regrets gram that does not require error. running an application on a

the

Thisweek Newspapers welcomes letters to the editor. Submitted letters must be no more than 350 words. All letters must have the author’s phone number and address for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters reflect the opinion of the author only. Thisweek Newspapers reserves the right to edit all letters. Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication.

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NATHAN SCHMID Burnsville

Letters to the editor policy

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sent back to St. Paul in 2012. I urge the voters of the newly redrawn House District 56A to support Pam Myhra in 2012 and beyond – she will not disappoint.

Correction

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is clear, it’s that Myhra genuinely cares about her constituents and the state of Minnesota. She won in 2010 because she worked tirelessly and connected with thousands of voters across Burnsville and Savage, and with the same commitment, I have no doubt that she will be

Managing Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tad Johnson / John Gessner Publisher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julian Andersen President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marge Winkelman General Manager/Editor . . . . . . . . . . Larry Werner Apple Valley/Thisweekend Editor. . Andrew Miller Burnsville/District 191 Editor . . . . . . . John Gessner Eagan/District 196 Editor. . . . . . . . . . . Jessica Harper

Rosemount Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tad Johnson Photo Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Orndorf Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Rogers Sales Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike Jetchick Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen Reierson

BURNSVILLE OFFICE 12190 County Road 11 Burnsville, MN 55337 952-894-1111 fax: 952-846-2010 www.thisweeklive.com Office Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday

THISWEEK March 16, 2012

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Cherokee Sirloin Room and Sports Bar/Rick Casper LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 4625 Nicols Road, Lot 2, Block 1, Durnings Subdivision

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Eagan Car Club/Kurt Manley LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Section 24, Township 27, Range 23 West, off of State Trunk Highway No.3

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DOCUMENT 00 11 13 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS PROJECT IDENTIFICATION: Sealed Bids will be received for the REBID of Marion Savage Elementary School Heating Plant Replacement and HVAC Alterations, 4819 West 126th Street, Savage, MN 55378, for Burnsville Eagan Savage Public Schools, Independent School District No. 191, in accordance with the Bidding Documents prepared by Armstrong, Torseth, Skold & Rydeen, Inc., Architects and Engineers, 8501 Golden Valley Road, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55427-4414, Phone 763-545-3731 and their consultant Clark Engineering Corporation, Structural Engineers. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Project consist of replacing existing air handling units, replacing existing controls with a new DDC system, replace the existing steam boilers with hot water boilers including replacing steam piping with hot water piping, and upgrading the ventilation systems, with associated electrical and minor general construction work. Work consists of installing Owner furnished hot water boilers, air handling units, induction displacement units and rooftop unit. TYPE OF BIDS: Single Lump Sum Bids will be received for the total Scope of the Work for the Project to include general, mechanical, and electrical construction. BID DATE: Bids must be received on or before April 3, 2012 at 3:00 P.M., local time. DELIVERY AND OPENING OF BIDS: Bids shall be delivered to and opened at Independent School District No. 191 Administrative Services Center, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337. Bids will be opened publicly and read aloud immediately after the specified time of closure for bidding period. Interested parties are invited to attend the bid opening. PROCUREMENT OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS: Bidding documents and plan holders list may be procured from: ARC (American Reprographics Company), 3005 Ranchview Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447, Phone Number: 763-694-5900; Fax Number: 763-694-0216. BID SECURITY: Bids shall be accompanied by a certified check, cashier's check or Bid Bond in the amount of 5 percent of the Base Bid submitted, made payable to the Owner, as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if awarded the Contract, enter into a Contract with the Owner in accordance with Bid submitted and the Contract Documents. TIME OF COMPLETION: Owner requires Substantial Completion of Contract Work on or before August 17, 2012. OWNER'S RIGHTS: Owner reserves the right to reject a Bid which is incomplete or irregular, the right to waive informalities or irregularities in a Bid received, and the right to accept a Bid which in the Owner's judgment is in Owner's best interests. WAGE DETERMINATION REQUIREMENTS: Contract is subject to compliance with the applicable Schedule of Prevailing Wages issued by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. BIDS REQUESTED BY: Burnsville Eagan Savage Public School Independent School District No. 191 Administrative Services Center 100 River Ridge Court Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 2931125 3/9-3/16/12

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools Educating our students to reach their full potential

2012 Hardscape Rehabilitation

2012 Waterproofing Rehabilitation Rosemount High School

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received for the 2012 Hardscape Rehabilitation by Independent School District 196, hereinafter called the Owner, at the Facilities and Grounds Office located at 14445 Diamond Path, Rosemount, MN 55068, until 10 a.m. local time on April 3, 2012, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. In general, the work consists of crackseal, sealcoat, reconstruction and re-striping to parking lots, drives, pathways and playgrounds at multiple sites throughout the District. Complete instructions on how to obtain Bidding Documents can be found at: http://www.district196.org/District/LegalNotices/ index.cfm. If you should have any questions regarding this bid you may contact the Facilities Department at (651) 423-7706. Art Coulson, Board Clerk Independent School District 196 2936903 3/16-3/23/12

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF THE CITY OF EAGAN POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities will be provided upon advance notice of at least 96 hours. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City of Eagan will attempt to provide such aid. Telephone: (651) 675-5000; TDD: (651) 454-8535. 2938452 3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

INVITATION FOR QUOTATIONS Student Transportation Services Burnsville School District ISD 191 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that written, sealed quotations will be received by Burnsville School District, until 10 a.m. (SST), Wednesday, April 4th, 2012, for certain Student Transportation Services. On the above date and time, authorized persons of Strategic Source, K12 Trans and Burnsville School District will publicly open the quotations received and read aloud the names of interested parties submitting quotations, the dollar amount of their quotation and other pertinent data. This meeting will be held in the Business Department at the District Center, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville, MN 55337 Quotations must be received by U.S. mail or delivered in person, on or before the above date and time, in a sealed envelope clearly marked "Burnsville Student Transportation Services" to: Burnsville Public Schools Jon Deutsch, Director of Operations 100 River Ridge Court Burnsville, MN 55337 The School District will hold a mandatory informational meeting for interested service providers at 10:00 a.m., March 21, 2012 at the District Center. The School District's student transportation needs that are the subject of the specifications will be reviewed and questions answered. Questions regarding the RFQ and Specifications will be accepted until March 23, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. A response to all questions received, will be provided to all interested parties by March 28th, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. via email. Quotations received after the due date and time will be rejected. Burnsville School District is using an open bid process for the services of Student Transportation Services and disclaims usage of any other options allowed under applicable law. The School District reserves the right to reject any and all quotations and waive irregularities therein and further, reserves the right to award the contract for services to the lowest responsible bid that is in the best interest of Burnsville School District. The winning quotation will be judged by a combination of price and the quality of the service as indicated in the specifications. General information and specifications may be obtained beginning March 9th, 2012, by contacting Alan Nicklaus, (anicklaus@strategicsource.com)(952-887-1642). Posted________: March 9th, and March 16th, 2012 2924975 3/9-3/16/12

REQUEST(S): Conditional Use Permit A Conditional Use Permit to allow outdoor dining. File Number: 31-CU-01-02-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Sarah Thomas, the Planner at (651) 675-5696 or sthomas@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 2938616 3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Northwood Business Park/Jim Ostenson LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 3265 Northwood Circle, Lot 1, Block 1, Northwood Business Park 3rd Addition

REQUEST(S): Rezoning A Rezoning of 4.8 acres from BP, Business Park to PD, Planned Development. File Number:10-RZ-02-02-12 Final Planned Development A Final Planned Development of 4.8 acres to allow outdoor storage of commercial vehicles. File Number:10-FD-03-02-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Pam Dudziak, the Planner at (651) 675-5691 or pdudziak@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 2938604 3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE City of Eagan Public Hearing for Submission of DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. A public hearing will be held on Monday, March 19th, 7:00 p.m. at Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers for residents wishing to comment on this application. The meeting will be conducted by the Eagan Advisory Commission. Informational details of the grant will be reviewed at the meeting and the public will be welcome to comment at that time. The grant application is seeking funding toward acquisition of segments of the A nt h o ny C a p o n i p r o p er t y, c o m m o n ly known as the Caponi Art Park, for public purpose. The grant is being funded through the Minnesota DNR’s Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The deadline for submission of the grant is March 31, 2012. Christina M. Scipioni City Clerk City of Eagan, Minnesota 2938380 3/16/12

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received for the 2012 Waterproofing Rehabilitation by Independent School District 196, hereinafter called the Owner, at the Facilities and Grounds Office located in the District Service Center Annex at 14445 Diamond Path, Rosemount, MN 55068, until 2 p.m. local time on April 3, 2012, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. In general, the work consists of waterproofing rehabilitation at Rosemount Senior High School. Complete instructions on how to obtain Bidding Documents can be found at: http://www.district196.org/District/LegalNotices/ index.cfm. If you should have any questions regarding this bid you may contact the Facilities Department at (651) 423-7706. Art Coulson, Board Clerk Independent School District 196 2936912 3/16-3/23/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196

AGENDA EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER BUILDING March 20, 2012 6:30 P.M.

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PUBLIC NOTICE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196

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REQUEST(S): Rezoning A Rezoning for approximately 6 acres from NB, Neighborhood Business to PD, Planned Development. File Number:24-RZ-01-02-12 Preliminary Planned A Preliminary Planned Development of approximately 6 acres to allow 76 vehicle storage units and a club house. File Number:24-PD-01-02-12 Final Plat A Final Plat of approximately 6 acres to create one lot. File Number: 24-FP-01-02-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Mike Ridley, the Planner at (651) 675-5650 or mridley@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 2938676 3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE City of Eagan Public Hearing for Submission of DNR Natural & Scenic Area Grant Program. A public hearing will be held on Monday, March 19th, 7:00 p.m. at Eagan City Hall, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers for residents wishing to comment on this application. The meeting will be conducted by the Eagan Advisory Commission. Informational details of the grant will be reviewed at the meeting and the public will be welcome to comment at that time. The grant application is seeking funding toward acquisition of segments of the An t h o ny C ap o n i p r o p er t y, c o m m o n ly known as the Caponi Art Park, for public purpose. The grant is being funded through the Minnesota DNR’s Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The deadline for submission of the grant is March 31, 2012. Christina M. Scipioni City Clerk City of Eagan, Minnesota 2938091 3/16/12

I. II. II. IV.

ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADOPT AGENDA RECOGNITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS CONSENT AGENDA (Consent items are acted on with one motion unless a request is made for an item to be pulled for discussion) A. APPROVE MINUTES B. PERSONNEL ITEMS C. APPROVE Check Registers D. APPROVE amendment to agreement to acquire replacement Portacount test equipment for Fire Department with the cities of Farmington, Apple Valley and Rosemount E. APPROVE a Resolution to accept donations from Genisys Credit Union, Dakota County Library and Eagan 55+/Senior Center F. APPROVE the 2012 Use Agreement for Blue Cross Blue Shield fields G. ADOPT a Resolution and APPROVE the application of an Outdoor Recreation Grant for the Caponi Art Park H. ADOPT a Resolution and APPROVE the application of a Natural and Scenic Area Grant for the Caponi Art Park I. DIRECT the City Attorney's Office to Prepare an Ordinance Amendment Delineating the City's Authority to Name Streets J. APPROVE Final Subdivision and Final Planned Development for Stonehaven 3rd Addition K. APPROVE New house plans for Stonehaven development L. APPROVE Final Plat for BCBSM West Addition M. RECEIVE Petition to Vacate Drainage & Utility Easement and Schedule Public Hearing (April 17, 2012) - Oakwood Heights Townhomes N. APPROVE Change Order No. 3 for Contract No. 11-08 (Cedar Grove Boulevard Phase I Street & Utility Improvements) O. AWARD Contract No. 12-07 (City-Wide Sanitary Sewer Lining) P. APPROVE Sports or Convention Facility License for Pear One, Inc. DBA Roasted Pear to serve alcohol at the Eagan Community Center Q. APPROVE Application for Exempt Permit for Red Pine Parent Teacher Organization to hold a Raffle May 3, 2012 R. AWARD Bid for City of Eagan Contract 12-08 Conduit/Fiber Installation and DIRECT the City Attorney's Office to prepare the necessary contract S. APPROVE Application for Premise Permit for Metro Baseball League to conduct lawful gambling at Casper's Cherokee Sirloin Room, 4625 Nicols Road V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Project 1083 (Beacon Hill Road - Storm Sewer Improvements) VI. OLD BUSINESS A. PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT and PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION Cedar Valley Addition / Cedar Valley Church - A Planned Development Amendment to allow a second building and a Preliminary Subdivision of approximately 6.5 acres to create 2 lots located at 2024 Rahn Way VII. NEW BUSINESS A. PRECINCT BOUNDARIES AND POLLING LOCATIONS - Legislative Redistricting VIII. LEGISLATIVE / INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UPDATE IX. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY A. CALL TO ORDER B. ADOPT AGENDA C. CONSENT AGENDA 1. APPROVE EDA Minutes 2. AUTHORIZE Preparation of Plats for Cedar Grove Core Area and EDA Owned Property South of Cedar Grove Parkway D. OLD BUSINESS 1. APPROVE Stipulation of Settlement with Amerco-UHaul for the Acquisition of Property at 3890 Nicols Road in the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District E. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVE Extension of Preliminary Redevelopment Agreement with Pratt Development for the Cedar Grove Redevelopment District F. OTHER BUSINESS 1. EDA Organizational Business G. ADJOURN X. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA A. City Attorney B. City Council Comments C. City Administrator D. Director of Public Works E. Director of Community Development XI. VISITORS TO BE HEARD (for those persons not on the agenda) XII. CLOSED SESSION XIII. ADJOURNMENT 2939105 3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: Diversified Information Technologies, INC./Leo Malsky LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 2871 West Service Road, Lot 23, Block 5, Eagandale Center Industrial Park

REQUEST(S): Rezoning A Rezoning from PD, Planned Development to I1, Limited Industrial. File Number:03-RZ-03-03-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Sarah Thomas, the Planner at (651) 675-5696 or sthomas@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 2938662 3/16/12

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CITY OF EAGAN DATE/LOCATION OF HEARING: Advisory Planning Commission Meeting: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm, City Hall Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Rd DEVELOPMENT/APPLICANT: CherryBerry/Dan Nelson LOCATION/LEGAL DESCRIPTION: 1298 Promenade Place, Lot 2, Block 2, Eagan Promenade

REQUEST(S): Planned Development A Planned Development Amendment to allow a frozen yogurt shop and a monument sign. File Number:10-PA-01-02-12 QUESTIONS: Call the Planning Department at (651) 675-5685 or contact Sarah Thomas, the Planner at (651) 675-5696 or sthomas@cityofeagan.com with the above information. CITY OF EAGAN Christina M. Scipioni - City Clerk 2938623 3/16/12

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A Progressive Christian Community

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Sunday Worship Hour 10:30 AM Adult Education 9:30 AM (Children’s Education during Worship)

spiritofjoymn.com

Not Your Usual Church

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March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

Agendas

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Burnsville City Council

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Following is the preliminary agenda for the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, regular meeting of the Burnsville City Council at City Hall. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. Announcements and Proclamations 2. Citizen Comments 3. Additions to the Final Agenda CONSENT AGENDA 4A. Consider Approval of Minutes 6:35 p.m. B. Consider Approval of Claims Listing C. Consider Resolution Establishing Election Precincts and Approving the Designation of Polling Places for the 2012 Primary and General Elections. D. Consider Approval for the Annual LOGIS Application Services Payment E. Consider Authorizing the Purchase of LUCAS-CPR Devices for the Fire Department. F. Consider Adopting Policy No. 1.137 - Sponsorship and Advertising and Adopt an Ordinance Amending the 2012 Fees and Charges Schedule to Establish Related Fees. G. Consider Approval of Master Agreement with Baseball Association 191 to Allow Advertising on the Outfield Fences at Alimagnet Park. H. Consider Awarding Contract to Dakota County Sentence to Service in 2012 for Work Crews. I. Consider Accepting Bids and Awarding Contracts for the 2012 South Metro Cities JPA for Street Maintenance Services (12-303). J. Consider Accepting Quote and Approving Purchase of Global Positioning System Unit. K. Consider Authorizing Project, Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertising for Boiler/Heating Plant System Replacement in City Hall. L. Consider Authorization to Utilize JQP, Inc, to Complete ADA Assessment of Parks and Facilities. REGULAR AGENDA 5. Consider Application for Fairview Development Company for a Preliminary and Final Plat to be known as ARBORS ADDITION and a Planned Unit Development Amendment for Development Stage Approval to Construct a Senior Housing Facility located at the Northeast Corner of the Community Drive and Nicollet Boulevard Intersection; and Consider Findings of Fact; Ordinance and Development Contract/Planned Unit Development Amendment Agreement. – 6:40 p.m. 6. Public Hearing – Consider Resolution Vacating the Drainage and Utility Easements as Dedicated in the Plat of RIDGES SIXTH ADDITION, over Outlot B. – 7 p.m. 7. Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Authority – 7:05 p.m. 8. Miscellaneous – 7:10 p.m. 9. Adjournment

Today’s The Day Stop Smoking

Hartman - Papin Christopher Hartman and Jennifer Papin were happily married on October 22, 2011 in Virginia, MN. Christopher is the son of Fred an Gloria Hartman of Lakeville, MN. Jennifer is the daughter of David and Mavis Papin of Virginia, MN. The couple resides in St. Paul, MN.

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Sood - Gross

Jerry and Susan Sood of Lakeville are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Megan to Justin Gross, son of Jeff and Rozanne Gross of Marcus, Iowa. The future bride is a 2006 graduate of Lakeville North High School and a 2011 graduate of Bethel University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is currently working as a Charge Nurse in Dubuque, Iowa. The future groom is a 2005 graduate of Marcus Meriden Cleghorn High School and a 2009 graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He works at John Deere as a New Project Design Engineer in Dubuque, Iowa. A May 2012 wedding is planned in Minneapolis.

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Michael Allen Paulsen Michael Allen Paulsen, age 45 of Fairbanks, Alaska, formerly of Lakeville, MN died peacefully on February 12, 2012. Memorial will be held on March 17th, 2012 at St. Johns Lutheran Church 20165 Heath Ave., Lakeville, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior, guests invited to luncheon following services.

In Loving Memory Darah Lynn Robertson 8-12-89 to 6-7-08 ...and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. -An Irish Blessing

To submit an announcement Forms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www.thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Completed forms may be e-mailed to class.thisweek@ ecm-inc.com or mailed to Thisweek Newspapers, 12190 County Road 11, Burnsville, MN 55337. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Thisweek Newspapers to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Thisweek Newspapers. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

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�� District 917 School Board Proceedings

This is a summary of the Intermediate School District 917 Regular School Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, with full text available for public inspection on t h e d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e a t www.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Office at 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM at 1300 145th Street East, in the DCTC Board Room. Board members present: Arlene Bush, Dan Cater, Veronica Walter, Deb Clark, Vanda Pressnall, Vicki Roy, and ex-officio member Supt. John Christiansen. Absent: Kathy Lewis, Jill Lewis, Tom Ryerson. Also present: Melissa Schaller, Dan Hurley, Nicolle Roush, Erin Mahnke, Cory Langenfeld, Kitri Larson Kyllo and Linda Berg. Good news reports were presented. The following Consent Agenda items were approved : minutes, personnel, bills to be paid, investment report and wire transfers. Recommended actions approved: Resolution directing administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions-roll call vote taken, all voted aye; and approval of maintenance payments to member districts. Adjournment at 5:56 PM. ____________________________________ This is a summary of the Intermediate School District 917 Regular School Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, with full text available for public inspection on t h e d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e a t www.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Office at 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM at 1300 145th Street East, in the DCTC Board Room. Board members present: Arlene Bush, Dan Cater, Deb Clark, Kathy Lewis, Tom Ryerson, Vanda Pressnall, Vicki Roy, and ex-officio member Supt. John Christiansen. Absent: Veronica Walter and Jill Lewis. Also present: Melissa Schaller, Dan Hurley, Nicolle Roush, and members of the audience. Good news reports were presented. The following Consent Agenda items were approved: minutes, donations, personnel, bills to be paid, investment report and wire transfers. Recommended actions approved: 403b Plan Guidelines and Terms and Conditions of Employment for the Assistant Directors for July 2011-June 2013. Adjournment at 5:54 PM. 2933619 3/16/12

Sports

THISWEEK March 16, 2012

Eastview makes itself at home at Target Center Lightning wins opener at state girls tournament

by Mike Shaughnessy Thisweek Newspapers

Eastview has made regular appearances at the state girls basketball tournament – five since 2000 – but most of the current Lightning players have only seen it from the stands, or on television. Getting used to the shooting background at Target Center and the extra-length NBA court took a little time, but Eastview quickly adjusted and defeated St. Michael-Albertville 55-41 in a Class 4A quarterfinal game Wednesday afternoon. “I thought we kept our composure pretty well,” senior guard Paige Palkovich said. “We didn’t look scared out there.” Eastview (25-5) never trailed after the game’s opening minute. Even though St. Michael-Albertville drained six three-pointers in the second half, the Knights never cut the Lightning’s lead to less than eight. The size of the court is an underrated factor, Palkovich and Eastview coach Melissa Guebert

said. The Target Center court is 10 feet longer than a regulation high school court. “It makes a big difference,” Guebert said. “If you’re using (defensive) pressure, full-court or half-court, the spacing is completely different.” Eastview held St. Michael-Albertville to four field goals and 11 points in the first half. “At the end, maybe we could have defended the three better and fought through some picks, but I thought we played well defensively,”Palkovich said. Palkovich and ninth-grade point guard Madison Guebert scored 15 points each for Eastview. Senior forward Amber Mehr, the only current varsity player who was in uniform when Eastview last played at state three years ago, had 10 points and 12 rebounds. “We’ve lost one game since December,” Melissa Guebert said.“When we started playing well, it was because we had a lot of players contributing.”

Eastview, 25-5, played No. 1-ranked and defending state champion Hopkins in the Class 4A semifinals Thursday night. The winner plays for the state championship at 8 p.m. Saturday at Target Center, while the loser goes to Concordia University in St. Paul for the third-place game at 4 p.m. The Lightning played Hopkins in December, and it represented a low point of the season for Eastview, which lost 64-22. Hopkins (28-1) defeated the South Suburban Conference’s other state qualifier, Lakeville North, 51-29 in Wednesday’s first Class 4A quarterfinal. “Our girls know they’re a better team than the first time they played Hopkins,” Melissa Guebert said following Eastview’s state quarterfinal victory. “And they’re anxious to go out and prove it.” Mike Shaughnessy is Dakota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers.

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Eastview’s Madison Guebert attempts a shot during the Lightning’s 5541 win over St. Michael-Albertville in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday.

Senior group sticks around to put Wildcats on the hockey map Eagan finishes sixth in state tournament by Mike Shaughnessy Thisweek Newspapers

Photo from the University of Minnesota

Eagan native Alyssa Grogan returned to the net for the final 9.8 seconds of a University of Minnesota women’s hockey game last month. She had been out since October 2010 because of a concussion.

Playing days probably over, but Grogan ready to move on Still recovering from concussion, Eagan native gets one last chance to skate for Gophers by Mike Shaughnessy and Tad Johnson Thisweek Newspapers

Alyssa Grogan has played exactly 9.8 seconds of hockey in the last 17 months, and chances are she’ll never play again. But Grogan not only is at peace with that, she said she believes it was a great way to go out. Playing the final few seconds of a game the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team had already safely tucked away allowed Grogan the chance to say goodbye on her terms. Now she can move on with her life, which might one day include training young girls to play goalie – the position where she excelled for years at the high school, college and international levels. Grogan, an Eagan native, suffered a concussion in practice in October 2010. What followed was a long, frustrating, debilitating battle with concussion symptoms, not unlike what Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby have gone through. Last Nov. 30, the Gophers’ team physician and athletic trainer told Grogan her playing career was over. They said they couldn’t clear her to return because she was still experiencing symptoms and the risk of another concussion was too high. “It’s hard to imagine what my recovery from a second concussion would be like,” Grogan said. “It

was something I was praying I wouldn’t hear but something I unfortunately wasn’t completely shocked to hear.” Minnesota is playing in the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four this weekend in Duluth. Grogan’s closure came when she was allowed to sit on the bench for the Gophers’ Senior Night game Feb. 18 against North Dakota. It was the first time Grogan had suited up since her injury. The Gophers weren’t planning to put her in the game. They held a 5-2 lead with 9.8 seconds remaining with a faceoff in the North Dakota zone. At that point, coach Brad Frost removed his goalie and sent out a sixth skater with the intention of having six seniors on the ice when the game ended. The skater who was to replace the starting goalie suggested that Grogan take the ice instead. With the trainer’s OK, Grogan skated to the Minnesota net as more than 2,100 fans at Ridder Arena roared their approval. “As I skated to the net, I wasn’t really thinking,” she said. “I honestly just couldn’t believe it was happening. I don’t know if I’ve ever had that big of a smile on my face in my entire life.” Better still, her parents, who had attended every home game for four years, were in the crowd, as were about 10 family members from out of town. Grogan’s brother, Derek, had his Senior Night hockey

game for St. Olaf College the previous day. “I’ve been asked quite a few times if it makes me want to play again,” she said. “And to be completely honest, that moment was so special to me, it almost makes me never want to suit up again. Nothing will ever top that moment on the ice to me.” In the weeks following her injury, Grogan slept as much as 20 hours a day and experienced severe headaches. She missed three semesters of classes. It cut short a career that included playing for Eagan High School in the state Class AA tournament and for the gold medal-winning Team USA in the Under-18 World Championships in 2008. As a freshman at Minnesota, she ranked sixth in the nation with a 1.67 goals-against average. Recovery took place slowly, but she was able to resume a full-time course load this semester and is working out almost every day. Grogan is on schedule to graduate in spring 2013. Her degree will be in business marketing with a public relations emphasis, and she’s working toward a minor in management. She also is interested in broadcasting after serving as a radio analyst on Gophers games this season. She expects coaching to be part of her future. “I spend a lot of time in the summers coaching at all levels,” she said. “I See Grogan, 9A

They watched as top players from other high schools left their teams, but a group of Eagan seniors never abandoned their goals. College or Junior A hockey would come soon enough, but before they left Eagan, the 11 seniors wanted to make sure they did their part to establish their school as a state power. Even though Eagan finished sixth in the state Class AA tournament last week, they left convinced they had done just that. “This program now has high expectations, and I think it has some tradition after going to the state tournament three times in the last seven years,” Eagan coach Mike Taylor said. “And it has a lot to do with this group of seniors.” Four Eagan seniors – Michael Zajac (Princeton), Will Merchant (Maine), Sam Wolfe (Maine) and Eli May (Minnesota StateMankato) – have committed to Division I college programs. Some others will try Junior A hockey in an effort to attract attention from college teams. They saw players from other schools – some of

whom they’ve been competing against for years – leave for juniors or the USA Hockey development program in Michigan. Some of those same opportunities likely were available to the Eagan players. But they stayed. Why? “That’s easy. It’s our friendship,” senior defenseman Derick Kuchera said. “We’ve played together on the pond since we were 3.” Even though this winter seldom was conducive to outdoor hockey, they got together as often as they could for various contests because bragging rights were important. “This is such a tight-knit group,” said senior forward Will Merchant, who is No. 2 on Eagan’s career scoring list with 118 points. “We knew coming into this year we’d have a good team again. Everyone wanted to be a part of it, and we knew we were going to get back to state.” The Wildcats were third in the 2011 Class AA tournament and went into this year’s tourney with a 24-31 record, the best in school history. But their bid for a state championship was denied by Moorhead goalie Michael Bitzer in the first

round. Bitzer stopped all 34 Eagan shots in the Spuds’ 4-0 quarterfinal victory March 8. Bitzer, a finalist for the state’s senior goalie of the year award, was good (stoning Nick Kuchera on a breakaway in the second period) and fortunate (Merchant had the puck hop over his stick with an open net in front of him). “Their goalie’s a good player, a lot of props to him, but we’ve got to find a way to put the puck in the net,” Zajac said. Senior forward Cody Mason scored two goals in Eagan’s 4-1 victory over Maple Grove in the consolation semifinals March 9 at Mariucci Arena. The Wildcats couldn’t get a shot past Bitzer in 51 minutes of playing time, but they needed only 26 seconds to score against Maple Grove goalie Kyle Koop. Mason scored in the first minute, Eli May made it 2-0 at 12:53 of the first period, and Eagan held the lead the rest of the way. Mason scored his second goal of the game at 6:38 of the third period. Merchant added an empty-net goal with 15 seconds remaining. See Hockey, 9A

Lightning, Eagles tip off again Section boys basketball title game is Friday by Mike Shaughnessy Thisweek Newspapers

Eastview’s and Apple Valley’s first two boys basketball games this season were such box-office successes – resulting in packed houses at both schools’ gyms – that they’re going to do it again. This time, it’s at a neutral site (Burnsville High School) and with even more at stake (the Class 4A, Section 3 championship). Tipoff is 7 p.m. Friday, March 16. “Apple Valley has an unguardable kid,” Eastview coach Mark Gerber said, referring to Eagles sophomore Tyus Jones. “But it’s really hard to key on him because he makes everyone else better.” Jones scored 39 and 45 points in two games against Eastview during the regular season. But the Lightning See Basketball, 9A

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Apple Valley’s James Horton (right) battles for position under the basket during the Eagles’ 87-76 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 4A, Section 3 boys basketball semifinals on March 10.

March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

Yellow Ribbon/from 1A of resources can call,” said Dakota County Veterans Services Director Lisa Thomas. “We may not be able to help them immediately, but we could connect them with someone who can.” The county’s involvement is not intended to take over or direct local efforts, but to enhance and connect them to provide a comprehensive network of resources bold enough to grow from providing help to solving larger societal probLake/from 1A over a decade are needed to actually remove a lake from the list, but Alimagnet seems to be on its way, said Daryl Jacobson, Burnsville’s water-resources specialist. Alimagnet had “the lowest water quality in the city for a number of years,” Jacobson said.

lems military face, Kuyper said. Working as a network, businesses, organizations, government, the faith community and individuals can, for example, work to address military unemployment, which has proven to be a bigger problem in Minnesota than other states, Kuyper said. Rich Davey, a 20-year member of the Apple Valley American Legion, service officer and chaplain, said soldiers’ stress of reintegration is magnified by a weakened economy.

“I’ve heard so many things about people coming back after serving their country and their position has been eliminated, Davey said. “They’re told there’s no spot for you now.” As a Yellow Ribbon County, Dakota County may network with businesses that provide resume coaching and interview tips for soldiers. Employers may be encouraged to hire a veteran, and tips about available jobs provided to military members seeking employment.

Thomas described the county’s role in the Yellow Ribbon network as weaving a connective thread to support cities. She has established a Yellow Ribbon County Steering Committee that includes representatives from Yellow Ribbon cities, county departments and community leaders. Together they share concerns and collaborate to ensure resources are understood, shared and are crafted to meet local needs. Dakota County’s action plan includes a provision

for the county’s communications department to update a website highlighting local resources, events and support services from a variety of sources available to military members and their families. “There is so much information for veterans, so many new programs and changes, it’s hard to keep up on those,” Thomas said. “It’s a quick-moving world. We want to make sure we’re keeping each other informed of the changes.” Thomas said the county will share information

about its resources to help military members and their families find affordable housing, health care and financial support. “Dakota County is really modeling what we want all counties throughout Minnesota to do,” Kuyper said. “They are becoming a connector of their Yellow Ribbon communities so they know what they’re doing to ensure they are all working together.”

“It’s been pretty remarkable,” he said. “I’m always cautiously optimistic because the environmental factors in water quality are unpredictable because there are so many. The weather, the climate, all those different things play a big role. “But we have seen improvement, I think, every year for the past five years, with phosphorous reduc-

tions every year, clarity increasing, and the amount of algae decreasing every year as well. Between 2008 and 2011, clarity has about doubled.” Another Burnsville lake, Earley Lake, came off the list in 2010, Jacobson said. Crystal and Keller lakes remain on the list, along with Lac Lavon. The latter — “one of the cleanest lakes in the entire metro” — is on the list for mercury levels, not the typical pollutants, Jacobson said. A total of 3,638 Minnesota water bodies are labeled impaired by the PCA.

Scheerer, who is president of the Alimagnet Lake Association, said the lake is in the best shape since he moved there in 1994. “I think last summer we saw marked improvement,” he said. He gives much of the credit to the banning of phosphorous fertilizers at least a decade ago. But the cities of Burnsville and Apple Valley, each of which contains about half of Alimagnet Lake, have taken a number of steps since 2005 to cleanse the water. Burnsville has spent

about $400,000 since then, which included a $65,000 grant from the Board of Soil and Water Resources, according to Jacobson. The grant helped build a stormwater pond near County Road 11 to treat water before it enters the lake. Apple Valley made significant improvements to its stormwater pond in Redwood Park, Jacobson said. “But there’s still a really large number of stormwater outlets that do drain directly into Alimagnet Lake,” Scheerer said. “It’s just costprohibitive to take them all away.’ Other projects have included winter aeration of the lake, installation of barley straw in three key storm ponds to reduce phosphorous loading, a curlyleafcontrol program done by

the lake association, and fish management. The Department of Natural Resources has removed some sunfish and bullheads and introduced catfish, and the lake association has added some large-mouth bass, according to Jacobson. The bass and catfish are predators that feed on younger bullheads and sunnies, he said. When there are too many bullheads and sunnies, they have to root around in the lake-bottom sediment to find food, which releases phosphorous into the water.

��

Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com.

Earley Lake A stormwater pond built at Southcross Drive and Burnhaven Drive several years ago has greatly improved water quality in Earley Lake, Jacobson said. The lake is west of Burnsville Center. “That is obviously a lot of impervious surface up on the hill there,” Jacobson said. “None of it was receiving any stormwater treatment prior to that pond being put in.” Citywide, Burnsville embarked on a 15-year, $27 million plan in 2001 to improve surface-water quality and control flooding. Much of the work has been stormsewer maintenance and upgrades. John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

THISWEEK March �� 16, �� 2012 ��

Basketball/from 7A came away with the victory both times, 91-84 on Jan. 13 and 85-75 on Feb. 14. “Eastview is a very difficult team to defend against,” said Apple Valley coach Zach Goring. “You’ve got to know personnel at all times, like which kids shoot the three(-pointer) and which ones don’t.” The Lightning and Eagles won section semifinal games March 10 at Burnsville High. Eastview (271), ranked third in Class 3A, used strong three-point shooting to rout Eagan 62-43 in the first half of the doubleheader. Cretin-Derham Hall also tried to use perimeter shooting to keep up with fast-breaking Apple Valley, but the Eagles prevailed 87-76 in a physical game. Darin Haugh made six threepointers and Joey King three in Eastview’s victory. Haugh scored 21 points and King had 19. “We played Eagan twice and know what they do defensively,” Gerber said. “Darin and Joey were going to be open in certain spots. We tried to get them to those spots, and they hit the shots.” Senior guard Nick Sabatke scored 16 points to lead Eagan, which finished 15-13. Jones had 33 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in fifth-ranked Apple Valley’s victory over 10th-ranked Cretin-Derham Hall. Junior guard Dustin Fronk scored 29 points and made all six of Apple Valley’s threepoint baskets. The Eagles made 69 percent of their shots as opposed to CretinDerham’s 45 percent. The Raiders took 36 three-point shots, making 12. “We were also plus-8 on the board, which is big for us with our

(lack of) size,” Goring said. “With as many three-point shots as they took, there are going to be a lot of long rebounds.” Dennis Austin had seven rebounds for Apple Valley, with Mitch Hechsel and Jones grabbing six each. Fronk scored 13 of Apple Valley’s first 22 points as the Eagles raced to a 22-12 lead with 10 minutes, 53 seconds left in the first half. Apple Valley held the lead the rest of the way except for a brief time in the second half when Cretin-Derham tied the game 51-51. Now the Eagles will try to change their luck against Eastview. Gerber, the Lightning coach, said he expects each team to try to roll out a few surprises for the other. But with the teams so familiar with each other, there are few secrets. “When you get to the section playoffs, so much depends on hustle plays, like 50-50 balls and rebounding,” Gerber said. “It’s not so much about X’s and O’s, it’s about the kids’ effort.”

Playoff notes • Eagan defeated Henry Sibley 68-54 in a Class 4A, Section 3 quarterfinal game March 7 as senior center Shea Mandli scored a careerhigh 33 points. • Brandon Forcier had 15 points and Matt Nelson scored 10 in Rosemount’s 68-48 loss to Cretin-Derham Hall in the Class 4A, Section 3 quarterfinals. The Irish finished 11-16. • Burnsville closed a 1-25 season with a 71-30 loss to Eden Prairie in the Class 4A, Section 2 quarterfinals. The Blaze’s victory this season was 46-43 over Bloomington Jefferson on Feb. 14. Mike Shaughnessy is Dakota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers.

Hockey/from 7A

Duluth East’s lethal power play broke open the March 10 consolation final. The Greyhounds, who entered the state tournament as the top-seeded team, scored twice with the man advantage in the third period and went on to beat Eagan 4-1. “Five-on-five, we played Duluth East dead even,” Taylor said.“But we didn’t have enough time to prepare for the best power play I’ve ever seen in high school hockey. There’s a reason they score almost 50 percent of the time.” Eagan’s 1-2 record at state Grogan/from 7A have a huge passion for the game and for being a positive role model to young kids. I’m a goalie coach for a lot of different camps and still have great connections with my old high school coaches at Eagan. Eventually I’d like to go back and help coach with them.” Grogan said she expects to field numerous questions about her concussion rehabilitation. “I am not fully through with my journey yet,” she said. “But the most frustrating part of the whole process for me was there wasn’t anybody for me to turn to who knew what I was going through. I didn’t have anyone to talk to who understood. And that was really hard.” She has spoken about her experience at a University of Minnesota Mini Med School presentation as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action functions.

9A ��

notwithstanding, Derick Kuchera said he didn’t believe the Wildcats played poorly. “I don’t mean to sound cocky, but I thought we took it to teams most of the time,” he said. “But we didn’t get the bounces, and we didn’t put the puck in the net.” If there’s any consolation for the Wildcats not finishing their season the way they wanted, it’s that it took a quality team to beat them. Their five losses were to Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Burnsville, Moorhead and Duluth East. Of that group, Moorhead and Duluth East were in the

state tournament, Minnetonka and Burnsville reached section championship games, and Eden Prairie was the 2011 Class AA champion. Now Eagan can claim status as an elite program, something Taylor said his seniors helped make happen. “They have talent. That’s obvious. But they also bought into the system,” Taylor said. “There were no prima donnas, no superstars, and they held each other accountable.” Mike Shaughnessy is Dakota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers.

“I love sharing my testimony. My faith has held me up through this storm,” she said. Player safety in hockey came under intense scrutiny following injuries to high school players Jack Jablonski and Jenna Privette this winter. A “Player Safety Summit” was held last week in St. Paul in conjunction with the state high school boys tournament. “All my prayers go out to (Jablonski and Privette) in their continued recovery, and I have found a tremendous amount of inspiration from Jabs and the way he’s handled his injury,” Grogan said. “Mine was a complete accident – an unfortunate accident from poke-checking a puck, and I have no hard feelings toward the player who hit me.” Grogan said collisions are unavoidable at the highest levels of competition, but “I think the focus needs to get back to the fundamentals – puck

movement, skating, passing, shooting. The girls game is a bit different from the boys, but nobody should be focusing primarily on leveling another player.” Although it appears Grogan will not return to hockey as a player, there is one big athletic test she wants to pass in the next few months. “I love to golf in the summer,” she said. “Last summer I wasn’t able to because it made me too dizzy and I couldn’t contact the ball. I’m superexcited for it to warm up and the snow to melt because I have a feeling I’ll be able to do that again. “It seems like a little thing, but that would make a big difference to me.” Mike Shaughnessy is Dakota County sports editor for Sun Newspapers. Tad Johnson is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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Garage & Estate Sales

�� Huge Moving Sale! 9879 Upper 173rd Ct. Mar. 19th-?? 8am-8pm! ��

Craft Shows & Boutiques �� Saturday, March 24 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

50+ Vendors Hand-Made Crafts Favorite Gift Companies

Mount Olivet Church 14201 Cedar Ave. Apple Valley 952-432-4332

�� 20651 Kenrick Ave. (Cty Rd 70 & 35W.) �� Fri., Mar. 23 - Sunday, Mar. 25, 11am -10 pm Sun. 25th 11 am - 5pm �� 80+ Vendors FREE Admission ��

Vehicles ��

Misc. For Sale

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Organizational Notices

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Last Hope Pet Adoption

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Abraham Low Self-Help Systems

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COURT RESOURCES- SAVE! �� start ��

Parts & Services $$ $200 - $7500 $$

Junkers & Repairables

More if Saleable ��

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612-861-3020 651-645-7715

RV’s & Campers ��

Trucks & Pickups

2000 Ford Ranger �� 612-385-2465

Vehicles

Apple Valley Petco 11-3pm Every Saturday! Cats, Kittens, Dogs & Pups!

Adopt or donate to your animal rescue:

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Box 114 Farmington, MN 55024 Beverly 651-463-8739

Looking For Good Homes For Puppies You Are Selling?

Place An Ad Here! Only $49 For 5 Lines + Picture Runs for 6 weeks! 952-894-1111

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Dona: 612-824-5773 www. LowSelfHelp Systems.org

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612-759-5407 or Marty

612-701-5345

Organizational Notices ��

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If you want to drink that’s your business...

If you want to STOP that’s ours. Call

Alcoholics Anonymous Minneapolis: 952-922-0880 St. Paul: 651-227-5502

Find a meeting:

www.aastpaul.org www.aaminneapolis.org

Organizational Notices Burnsville Lakeville

A Vision for You-AA Thursdays 7:30 PM A closed, mixed meeting at

Grace United Methodist Church East Frontage Road of 35W across from Buck Hill - Burnsville

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EAGAN/BURNSVILLE/SAVAGE AA 3600 Kennebec Drive (2nd Floor) Eagan, MN (Off of Hwy 13)

Meeting Schedule

• Sundays 6:30pm (Men’s) & 8pm (Mixed) • Mondays 6:30pm & 8pm (Mixed) • Tuesdays 6:30pm & 8pm (Mixed) •Wednesdays Noon (Mixed) & 8pm (Mixed) • Thursdays 6:30pm Alanon & 8pm (Mixed) • Friday 6:30 (Mixed) & 8pm (Mixed) • Saturdays 8pm (Open) Speaker Meeting

Questions? 651-253-9163

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Last Hope, Inc. (651) 463-8747

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(Recovery, Int'l)

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Please call 612-282-9330.

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Please apply at:

TRINITY CARE CENTER 3410 213th Street West Farmington, MN 55024 Or send resumes to:

mpomroy@sfhs.org ��

Full-Time

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Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District Visit www.isd191.org for more details and to apply.

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Part-Time

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PT Caregiver

Needed to Care for 5 elderly adults in Burnsville 24 Hr Sleep-over Shifts 8am-8am.

Every Saturday

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612-670-1380 Thomas Allen Inc.

Program Counselor or LPN Burnsville

PC: Tue, Wed, Fri �� LPN: Mon, Tue, Fri ��

Lakeville - �� Email: alice@southcedar.com ��

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Work with children and adults in the South Metro area.

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I am looking to contract dependable and responsible adults to deliver the Star Tribune newspaper in the Burnsville/Savage areas in the early morning hours. There is a $100 incentive available after 4 wks of route delivery. Profit potential is from $400 to $800 per month. For more information contact John @ 952-895-1910.

PART TIME LIQUOR SALES CLERK

The City of Farmington �� Liquor Clerk �� at City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024. Forms may be downloaded from www.ci.farmington.mn.us. Deadline is Apr. 16, 2012 EOE

Thomas Allen Inc.

Program Counselor Burnsville

E/O weekend Sat. and Sun. 8am-2pm �� Contact: Jodyv@ thomasalleninc.com www.thomasalleninc.com AA/EOE

PT RN

Burnsville/Eagan areas Weekend On Call

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$230 + $25/hrly as needed. Call for details.

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Is looking for an experienced, hands on Sous Chef. Full time position requires knowledge in banquet & line cooking, kitchen operation and management.

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Metro Auto Salvage, Inc. 11710 E. 263rd St. Lakeville, MN 952-461-8285

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Concrete & Masonry

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March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

Thisweekend Local senior’s second act: standup Dennis Carney brings his comedy show to Casa Nostra in Lakeville

Bounty of oboe and bass in Lakeville

by Andrew Miller Thisweek Newspapers

F. Scott Fitzgerald said there are no second acts in American lives. Dennis Carney begs to differ. The 70-year-old Savage resident retired in 2000 after nearly four decades working in the production department at the Pioneer Press. And that’s when the fun began. He’s now a professional standup comic, producing and performing in shows a few times a month at venues throughout the Twin Cities. Carney got interested in doing comedy after joining Toastmasters, the nonprofit which aims to build public speaking and leadership skills. “I was giving a speech at Toastmasters and people were laughing – found out I had a flair for comedy,” he said. Carney began honing his standup skills at openmic nights at Twin Cities comedy venues such as the Joke Joint and Acme Comedy Club. Recruiting some of the other comics he met at those events, Carney formed a comedy troupe and started staging his own shows. “I have a loose group of about 30 comedians. We started doing shows in American Legions and VFWs and have since branched out,” he said.

Photo submitted

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Self-effacing humor is at the heart of 70-year-old Dennis Carney’s standup act. “I’m a loser – I’m short, old, overweight,” he said. “I’m divorced, I’m lazy, I drive a Toyota – bought it from Denny Hecker.” A fan of Jack Benny and Jay Leno, Carney said selfeffacing humor is at the heart of his act. “I’m a loser – I’m short, old, overweight. I’m divorced, I’m lazy, I drive a Toyota – bought it from Denny Hecker,” he said. Though his shows are intended for adult audiences, he restricts himself and the other comics to clean

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material. “Most national touring comedians do jokes so dirty you can’t use ’em, and it’s just not me,” he said. “We don’t do anything you wouldn’t see on network TV. I do a joke about Viagra – that’s probably my dirtiest one.” Carney is bringing his “all-star comedy troupe” to Casa Nostra restau-

rant, 20198 Heritage Drive, Lakeville, on March 23. The 8:30 p.m. show features Carney and fellow comics Carol Vnuk and Rod Blanchard; PizPor the Magician, a Renaissance Festival veteran, is the headliner. Admission is free.

The Vecchione/Erdahl Duo, the husband-and-wife team of Rolf Erdahl (bass) and Carrie Vecchione (oboe) of Apple Valley, will be featured March 18 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center as part of the Chamber Music Coffee Concerts series. Tickets for the 2 p.m. event are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and are available at the arts center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., or by calling (952) 985-4640. The Coffee Concerts are held in a casual cabaret setting with complimentary coffee and refreshments. The series continues April 29 with the Balkan dance music of Orkestar Bez Ime; the full concert schedule is at www.ci.lakeville.mn.us.

theater and arts briefs IMAX family night

Bach featured

The IMAX Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley will host Family Night on Monday, March 19. Guests who purchase one adult admission ($9.75) to the 6:30 p.m. showing of “Sea Monsters 3D: A PreAndrew Miller is at andrew. historic Adventure” will miller@ecm-inc.com. receive one free child’s admission to the movie and a complimentary slice of pizza and drink (while supplies last) before the show. Dinner will be served in the lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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Tickets are still available for the 7 p.m. Sunday, March 18, Baroque Bash concert by the Dakota Valley Symphony at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. The 2 p.m. concert has sold out. Baroque music fans will have the opportunity to hear Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. Solo pianist Elise Molina will play Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor. Tickets range from $5 to See Briefs, 11A

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THISWEEK March 16, 2012

‘Joseph’ comes to Lakeville stage

Briefs/from 10A $15 and can be purchased in person at the box office, or via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or Ticketmaster. com.

Glee takes the ice The Heritage Figure Skating Club and Lakeville and Farmington Learn to Skate programs will present their inaugural ice skating show March 23-24 at Hasse Arena, 8525 215th St. W., Lakeville. The show will feature songs from the television show “Glee.” Ticket sales begin at 6 p.m. at the arena, the show

begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students under 18 and seniors over 55.

‘Troops’ event The 2012 Scoops for Troops Benefit will feature five top Twin Cities singersongwriters. The event, which benefits the families of U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at The Ring Mountain Cafe and Creamery in Eagan. Admission is free. Artists performing include James Loney, Edie Rae, Inukshuk Pass, Bill Woodson and Matthew

Griswold. “Home Again, The 21st Century Veteran Experience,” a limited edition CD of songs written by the featured performers and others, will be for sale at the Scoops for Troops show.

Celtic Crossroads Celtic Crossroads will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $29.50 and $32.50 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (800) 9822787 or at Ticketmaster. com.

Photo by Rick Orndorf

The Play’s the Thing Productions presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays March 23-April 1. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 senior/students, and can be purchased online or at the door. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatretptt.com.

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March 16, 2012 THISWEEK

Gerlach/from 1A

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new district’s candidate. Gerlach would have run in the new Senate District 57 that largely went unchanged under the new redistricting plan. The district, which includes all of Rosemount and Apple Valley, adds Coates and a portion of northeast Lakeville, while losing a portion of southeast Burnsville. Ecker said an announcement is expected soon regarding a replacement candidate for Gerlach. Apple Valley resident Mike Germain, who has run previously against Gerlach, has said that he will seek the DFL’s endorsement this weekend at the convention. Gerlach’s announcement also comes four days after House District 37B Rep. Kurt Bills, R-Rosemount, said he would seek the Republicans U.S. Senate endorsement. The Republicans are seeking a candidate for that office (now called 57B),

Contract/from 1A some that have a soft freeze, where you get steps and lanes and don’t have any increase in the salary schedule. We weren’t there.” The contract is “reflective of economic reality,” Superintendent Randy Clegg said in a news release. “It allows the district to attract and retain quality teachers and to offer a contract that is competitive with neighboring school districts.” Times are indeed lean for Minnesota school districts. District 191 is looking at a $5 million to $6 million cut in next year’s general fund budget, Duethman noted. The district is studying ways — such as cutting the number of school days — to make up an estimated $15 million shortfall over the next three

McCrea/from 1A prising one, McCrea said. He was most surprised by the lack of snow. “Everyone talks about how much snow is in Minnesota, but there’s no snow, and yet, there’s ice on the lakes,” he said. McCrea said he has been fascinated by the similarities between Minnesota’s and Northern Ireland’s cultures. He was most amused by Minnesotans’ inclination toward discussing their hometowns. “It’s the same in Northern Ireland: People will spend half an hour discussing their lineage,” McCrea said with a smile. McCrea said he, too, admires many of America’s values and traits such as its

During his career, Gerlach served in both the Republican minority and majority, and as majority whip and assistant majority leader, a position he lost earlier this year during a GOP reshuffling after Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigned from her leadership post. Gerlach said in the press release that he was most proud of the opportunity to serve as the chairman of Senate Commerce Committee. “It has been a great platform in which to promote free-market economics while balancing consumer protections,” he said. In 2010, as the lead minority party member on elections issues, Gerlach said he was key to the successful bipartisan efforts that produced a wide-ranging package of election reforms, including administration procedures, absentee ballot

reforms, an earlier primary election and changes to campaign finance and reporting rules in the wake of the Coleman-Franken recount of 2008. Ecker said one of Gerlach’s most notable accomplishments was holding the line on taxes. “I was pretty happy with some of his work on election laws,” Ecker said. “I know the local beer fans were pretty happy with his ‘Surly bill’ that passed through his committee.” In his time at the Capitol, Ecker said Gerlach was practical. “It’s easy to get your head wrapped around ideology, but Chris has never lost sight of the big picture and what’s practical in our current situation,” Ecker said. “He’s been a good judge of character and who to seek out for advice when a legislative topic leaves his comfort area.” Gerlach graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in

years. “The economy should, we hope, pick back up, and things will be better for everybody,” Duethman said. The contract includes no increase in the district’s contribution to health insurance coverage. Nor will teachers see an increase in the percentage they pay for insurance, Duethman said. Under the last contract, teachers’ contribution to family coverage rose from 15 percent to 20, and for single coverage from zero to 5 percent, she said. The new contract includes a wellness incentive that’s part of a districtwide wellness campaign aimed at containing health insurance costs. The contract includes no increase in stipends paid to coaches and activities advi-

sors. Teachers had bemoaned what they said was slow progress in negotiations. Twice they appeared in large numbers at School Board meetings to show their displeasure. “I think that in the beginning of January things turned toward the better and the two teams made some serious progress,” Duethman said. Negotiations were collaborative and respectful, Stacey Sovine, the district’s human resources administrator, said in a news release. “It takes time to discuss issues like this,” he said, “but it is valuable time.” Under the new contract, a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree will be paid $34,810 in 2011-12. A teacher with 20 or more years of

Gerlach’s career

attitude toward culture. “Here, you are who you want to be,” he said. The nation’s determination and generosity are other positive values, but ones that sometimes get the United States into trouble, McCrea said. “They like to fix a problem, but what they have to understand is a problem is often more complicated than it seems.” There are many lessons Americans can learn from McCrea, said Brandt Haglund, a recent University of Minnesota graduate and member of Friends of St. Patrick. Haglund said he hopes McCrea’s visit will give people insight into a different perspective. Haglund visited Northern Ireland in recent

years as a part of the organization’s youth ambassador program. “It taught me how to put myself in others’ shoes through their stories,” he said. After his Minnesota visit, McCrea is scheduled to meet with Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama in Pittsburgh. And with the political season in full swing, Northern Irish leaders are watching. “We are interested in the personalities in power, because some invest a lot of time getting involved,” he said. “We like having Hillary Clinton’s involvement as Secretary of State.” Jessica Harper is at jessica. harper@ecm-inc.com.

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political science from the University of St. Thomas and earned a master of business administration from the University of South Dakota. He maintained and deactivated weapons systems as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. Gerlach has served on the Dakota County Human Services Advisory Committee and as a board member of the Apple Valley Optimist Club – an organization dedicated to fostering a wide range of youth programs. “He’s always been very approachable, even to those that disagree with him,” Ecker said. “Sometimes at parades someone will pull him aside and want to lay into him on an issue. By the time they part they’re both smiling.” And Gerlach and that old T-shirt keep moving up the road.

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Tad Johnson is at editor. thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

experience and a master’s degree plus 60 additional credits (or a doctorate) will be paid $83,420. The contract will be retroactive to July 1, 2011, and continue through June 30, 2013, for the 720 teachers, nurses, psychologists, counselors and other employees in the district’s largest union.

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John Gessner is at john.gessner@ecm-inc.com.

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